‘Yakama Authors Festival’ on March 11

TOPPENISH – Yakama Nation authors will share their writings and experiences during the “Yakama Authors Festival” at Heritage University on Tuesday, March 11.

The event is sponsored by the Center for Native Health & Culture and the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching.

Presentations from Yakama authors Emily Washines, Stacey Speedis and Dr. Michelle Jacob will be among the featured events. The author presentations are open to the public.

Washines earned a Master’s degree in public administration from Evergreen State College and graduated from Central Washington University.

Washines will present excerpts from her publications, which include “Natural Restoration and Cultural Knowledge of the Yakama Nation,” written for Evergreen State College, and “For Generations Not Yet Born,” written for the Wenatchee World, among others. Her presentation begins at 10 a.m.

Speedis’ presentation will begin at 10:45 a.m. She started writing her autobiography while attending the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M.

She is the author of the book, “Horse Trails Have No Ends.” She lives on the Yakama Nation Reservation with her two children.

Jacob, who has a Ph.D. in sociology, is the founding director of the Center for Native Health & Culture at Heritage University.

She will present excerpts from her book, “Yakama Rising: Indigenous Cultural Revitalization, Activism, and Healing,” which was published last September and will be available in paperback this coming April. Her presentation begins at noon.

High school students have been invited to take part in a special writing workshop designed specifically for them. This workshop will be led by Yakama author Carol Craig. As a writer, photographer and public speaker, Craig’s passion is to educate tribal members and the public about her people’s efforts to restore salmon runs.

The March 11 Yakama Authors Festival will be held in the Arts and Sciences building at Heritage University’s main campus near Toppenish, with author presentations beginning at 10 a.m.